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GUIBOUR 

A Miracle Play of Our Lady 



VERSION FROM THE OLD FRENCH 
BY 

ANNA SPRAGUE MACDONALD 







THE SUNWISE TURN, Inc, 

2 EAST 31ST STREET, NEW YORK 
1919 



i / 






Copyright, 1919, by 
THE SUNWISE TURN, Inc. 

ALL BIGHTS RESERVED 



The professional and amateur stage rights on this version are 
strictly reserved by the translator. Applications for permission 
to produce this version should be made to The Neighbourhood 
Playhouse, 466 Grand Street, New York. 

Any infringement of the translator's rights will be punished 
by the penalties imposed under the United States Revised Stat- 
utes, Title 60, Chapter 3. 



©OLD 51^^51 ■' 

\ ■ APR 21 1919 ' 



TO 

YVETTE GUILBERT 

IN MEMORY OP 

HER BEAUTIFUL AND MOST MOVING PORTRAYAL 

OF GUIBOUR, 

HER FELLOW WORKERS 

AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAYHOUSE 

DEDICATE THIS BOOK 



^ 



h 



FOREWORD 

GUIBOUR," or, as it is known in the 
original French, '^Un Miracle de 
Nostre Dame, Comment elle garda une 
femme d'estre arse," is preserved in manu- 
script number 7208.4.B, in the Bibliotheque 
du Roi. 

Almost nothing is known about this 
work, except that it belongs to a collection 
of forty (some authorities say forty-three) 
Miracle Plays,— all celebrating in some way 
the intervention of Our Lady. No one 
knows whether this cycle is the work of one 
man or of a group of men. From a refer- 
ence in ''Guibour" to ^'Guillaume, maire 
de Chief vi," it is probable that one of two 
villages (Chivy), both near Laon, is meant 
and that the author was a Laonnais. 

These Miracles were presented by mem- 
bers of a "Pui Nostre Dame." The Puy 
was a mediaeval confraternity, half eccle- 
siastical, half literary in character. Its 

V 



VI FOREWOED 

connection with the church must have been 
very close, as sermons preceded or formed 
a part of many of the Miracle plays. There 
is a long sermon in the first part of ^'Gui- 
bour. ' ' 

The most original feature of this play, 
distinguishing it sharply from the others 
of the cycle, is the mass episode, the only 
known instance of this particular use of 
the mass in French mediseval dramatic 
literature. Though the "Guibour" mass, 
with its very simple and colloquial dialogue, 
may seem strange to a modern audience, 
yet to lovers and students of old-time lore 
it is the part of the play most characteris- 
tically mediaeval. One gets from it the 
same quality that charms in those primitive 
pictures of the Holy Family, which show 
them amid all the homely details of every- 
day contemporary life. Moreover, the plays 
were written during the Hundred Years* 
War, when France was invaded and suffer- 
ing in northern France acute. Then the 
hearts of men turned to the pitying Mother 
of Christ for comfort and consolation, and 
the nearness of radiant Holy Folk was sin- 
cerely and passionately believed. It is this 



FOREWORD VII 

endearing sense of the intimate brother- 
hood of heaven and earth that gives a 
charm all its own to the last part of ' ' Oui- 
bour," and which intensifies the creed of 
the Middle Ages, set forth in the first part : 
the idealization of the feminine virtues of 
chastity and fidelity, and divine forgive- 
ness through the Virgin Mary. 

It was Madame Yvette Guilbert who first 
discovered the acting possibilities of this 
old play, and to her belongs the credit for 
the Neighbourhood Playhouse presentment, 
so glorified by her art. 

A. S. M. 
The Neighbourhood Playhouse, 
March 8, 1919. 



PEESONS OF THE PLAY 

GUIBOUR 

GuiLLAUME, her husband 

Daughter (Marie) 

AuBiN, her husband 

Robert, first neighbor 

Gautier, second neighbor 

An Intimate Friend 

Mandot, first harvester 

Senestre, second harvester 

AuBERi, first officer of the law 

Gaspard, second officer of the law 

Bailiff 

A Porter 

Sister of Aubin 

Cousin of Aubin 

CocHET, the executioner 

Priest 

Nuns 

Poor Folk 

Night Watch 

Voice of God 

Our Lady 

St. Gabriel 

St. Michel 

St. Jean 

St. Raphael 

St. Uriel 

{In the original manuscript there are no 
scene divisions and no stage directions.) 

vni 



''Guibour" was first produced at the 
Neighbourhood Playhouse, New York, on 
January 18, 1919, with the following cast : 

Characters 

GuiBOUR Yvette Guilhert 

GuiLLAUME, her husband. .L. Rogers Lytton 

Marie, their daughter Alice Lewisohn 

AuBiN, her husband Rollo Peters 

Servitor Sam Gluck 

Robert, first neighbor John F. Roach 

Gautier, second neighbor. . J. Upton Lytton 

An Intimate Friend Rose B. Schiff 

Mandot, first harvester. .>S^. P. Zalmanovic 
Senestre, second harvester . . Bert Rudolph 
Auberi, first officer of the law. 

S. Bennet Tobias 
Gaspard, second officer of the law 

I. Robert Broder 

Bailiff William A. Rothschild 

A Porter Clement Willenchick 

Sister op Aubin Polaire Weissman 

Cousin of Aubin Ida Schiff 

CocHET, the executioner . . . Wells Spalding 

Priest Richards Hale 

First Nun Ludmilla Toretzka 

Second Nun Helen Hoadley 

IX 



Third Nun Sony a Medvedieff 

Fourth Nun Klara Bloomfield 

Night Watch Sol Friedman 

First Poor Woman Florence Levine 

Second Poor Woman . . Cornelia Valenstein 

Third Poor Woman Sybil Delman 

Voice of God Richards Hale 

Our Lady Irene Lewisohn 

St. Gabriel Margherita Sargent 

St. Michel Nell Vincent 

St. Jean Ulysses Goldberg 

St. Raphael Bertha TJhr 

St. Uriel Blanche Talmud 

Ladies, Gentlemen, Youths, Peasants, Monk 
—Rose Uhr, Mathilda Wittenberg, Sol 
Friedman, Maurice Friedman, Esther 
Trynz, Elizabeth Hurwitz, Rosetta Hur- 
witz, Ira Uhr, Paula Trueman, Rhea 
Brautman. 



GUIBOUR 



GUIBOUR 

Herewith begins a Miracle Play of Our 
Lady in which she saved a woman from 
burning at the stake. 

SCENE I 

{Music of Mass within church is heard 
before and during opening of curtain. 
Fro7it curtains part and reveal a square in 
a fourteenth century town of northern 
France. 

Back stage is a two-storied house. Each 
story has a separate curtain which closes 
when the action within is over. The lower 
room is the main apartment of Ouihour's 
house, and is richly furnished. The upper 
room is AuMn's bedchamber, with canopied 
bed. The two stories are connected by a 
staircase. In the floor of Guibour's room 
is a trap-door leading to the cellar of the 
house. Steps give access from lower room 
to square. 

Left stage is the Bailiff's Court-Room. 
Through a Gothic window one sees a stately 
chair for the Bailiff and a table. The aper- 
ture is large enough for the audience to 



4 GUIBOUR 

follow the action within. Extreme left 
stage toward the footlights, a door leads 
from the Bailiff's court to the square. 

Bight stage is the front porch of a 
church. Wide steps lead from the square 
to a narrow platform extending the width 
of the church. The portal is in the centre 
of the church fagade. At the right of the 
portal, a niche occupied hy Saint Jean; on 
the left, the audience side, another niche in 
which the Virgin stands. Gabriel and 
Michel are in niches within the portal. In 
front of the Virgin, on the platform, is a 
stone prie-dieu. 

As the Mass music ceases, the curtains 
of Guihotir's room open showing all four of 
the family standing at taUe and crossing 
themselves at end of grace.) 



GUILLAUME 

Hearken, Guibour, I fain weuld tell you 
of my day's set task. I am off straightway 
to the fields to look at my crops. They will 
soon be harvest ripe, so I must needs take 
early thought and hire me laborers to reap 
them, for hands are scarce these times. 

GUIBOUR 

Sir, your plan is good, and well contents 
me. I would not gainsay you in anything. 



GUIBOUR 



for every word and work of yours is bent 
to prosper us. Go, therefore, with my full 
assent. 

Daughter 
Prithee, dear father, be kind and take 
me with you. I have not left this house for 
long and long, so I should like a little 
pleasuring, and who is merrier comrade 
than yourself ? 

GUILLAUME 

Gladly, my child. Come you, too, since 
your heart is set upon it. 

Daughter 
Off and out with us, then. See, I am 
ready, sir. 

AUBIN 

Take care, go you no dangerous way. 
{Guillaume and daughter descend 
steps to square. Enter First and 
Second Neighbor. All greet one 
another. Exeunt Guillaume and 
Marie. First and Second Neigh- 
bor converse in low tones.) 

GUIBOUR 

Welladay, Aubin, mark you how blithe 
your wife is, jaunting afield with her father. 
Son, of your courtesy, walk with me to the 
church. It will please me much to have 
your company, so prithee come. 



6 GUIBOUR 

AUBIN 

Only a churl would say you nay, not I. 
It is a joy to serve you, mother, in great 
things and in small. 

GUIBOUR 

Now let us hence. I should be well con- 
tent if I could only get a place up front 
near the preacher without elbow-push or ill 
behavior. Now, walk apace toward church. 
{They descend steps to square. Cur- 
tains of house close. Meeting 
First and Second Neighljor, they 
greet one another. Guihour and 
Auhin pass within church.) 

First Neighbor 
Eh— look there, Gautier, see you the 
Mayor's wife, crook-arm with her son-in- 
law? They say for certain sure they are 
love birds. 

Second Neighbor 
Ay, it is common talk he beds her as his 
wife. Foul misdoings, if you ask me. 

First Neighbor 
Truly, i' faith, yet our tongue waggling 
will never stay their wantoning. Come, let 
us fetch a measure of wine. We'll drink 
together, man, unless you know a merrier 
pastime. What say you to a jolly bottle? 





GUIBOUR 


7 


I'll 


Second Neighbor 

not say nay. What ho, for 

1 


the 


verr 


L ! 

{Exeunt Neighbors. Guihour 
Aubin come out of church.) 


and 



GUIBOUR 

'Tis thronged. The folk outcrowd us, so 
I will kaeel me here. 

{Kneels on stone prie-dieu.) 
Son, if church irks you, or if you wish to 
seek your pleasure in the town, go freely. I 
would not thwart lad's sport this jocund 
day. 

Aubin 
Verily, I choose the gay town streets. I 
was not schooled to skin my knees in prayer 
or stuff my ears with sermons. My thanks, 
dear lady mother. 

{Exit Aubin.) 

GUIBOUR 

{To Virgin in niche.) 
Ah, liege lady of high heaven, woe to her 
who scorns your service. Blessed is she 
who sets her heart and thought on you, 
for no one is too lost in evil for your pity. 
Who seeks you is saved forthwith. lady, 
star and crown of Paradise, God's best and 
nearest, be my refuge. Sweet Virgin, in 
your loving kindness, purify my soul, that 



8 aUIBOUR 

when my body dies I may escape the dark 
of hell, and deserve the heritage of heaven 
that I so ardently desire. 

(Congregation leaves church. Last 
comes the Intimate Friend.) 

Friend 
Gentle Neighbor, God give you good day. 

GUIBOUR 

May he pardon your sins and mine. — 
How fares your husband ? Well, I am sure. 

Friend 
Thanks be to God, he is. And you, 
Neighbor ? 

GUIBOUR 

In all things prospering. God has showed 
us many a favor, but blessed us most of all 
in our dear son-in-law. In faith, I deem 
that God inspired us to choose him for our 
daughter. Never was such a goodly youth. 
She could not find a better. 

Friend 
Neighbor, I cannot rest me snug in any 
place where I am forced to hear blame and 
foul talk against a dear loved friend. I 
speak for her with might and main. Then 
do my duty and tell her all the scandal, so 
with good warning she may guard her fair 
repute. 



GUIBOUE 9 

GUIBOUR 

What mean you? Why speak you thus 
to me ? Prithee, say on. 

Friend 

Yea, I shall be frank of tongue and tell 
you for your good. Neighbor, a tale goes 
wild fire through the town that Aubin is 
your light o' love. They say you yield to 
him right willingly whenso and how much 
he pleases. The twain of you are close as 
core and apple. They even wink when he 
steps forth so bravely decked, and think 
they know the reason for his comeliness. 
They say, he must be fine to pleasure two, 
his wife and mother. 

GUIBOUR 

Alackaday, that all the town should thus 
besmirch my name. Neighbor, upon my 
honour as a woman and a friend, they lie. 
I am most innocent of this. Whoever has 
spread this infamy, I know not, but I know 
him guilty of mortal sin. God forbid they 
should accuse me of such shame. 

Friend 

Saints aid my soul, I warned you in good 
faith. Praise me not, nor blame me either, 
Neighbor. 



10 GUIBOUR 

GUIBOUR 

Nay, dame, I thank you from my heart,— 
yet, prithee, when you hear it said, deny it 
boldly, for it is not true. 

Friend 
I well believe you, yet, henceforth, be 
wary and on your guard. I commend you 
to God's keeping and so farewell. 

GUIBOUR 

Friend, God brim your day with favors. 
I thank you once again. 
(Exit Friend.) 
sweet Mother of God, what evil has 
befallen me ? Foul the minds that heap 
such shame on me unjustly. Yet how re- 
fute it ? I can but sorrow ; do naught save 
weep and wail. Mother Mary, what 
shall I do? I shall not rest, but day and 
night ponder some means to rid me of this 
infamy. 

{Guibour goes into church, as First 
and Second Harvesters enter.) 

First Harvester 
Senestre, friend and comrade, let us go 
seek the market-place. Mayhap we'll find 
a master there. Our pockets are stark 
empty. We must not leave this town until 
we earn some money. 



GUIBOUR 11 

Second Harvester 
Well spoke, Mandot, march on. For- 
ward, good fellow, to the big town square. 

First Harvester 
I am away, follow at heel. Senestre, I 
am afraid it is very early. See, there is not 
a living soul about save you and me. 

Second Harvester 
There is no great harm in that, Mandot ; 
better be first and fat-fed, than last and 
lean. Please God, some one will come soon 
and give us means of gain. 
{Exeunt Harvesters.) 

GUIBOUR 

{Coming out of church.) 
Never again shall I be glad of heart; 
never, until this shame is wiped away. Yet 
this can never be. While Aubin lives, the 
scandal will not die. Only his death can 
kill it— naught save that. Therefore I must 
bend my thoughts and all my will to bring 
about his end. I must; there is no other 
way. I do not love my gold so much that 
I would spare it to redeem my reputation. 
Nay, I will lavish it on any one who will 
help me. Some stranger who will kill with 
his hands. The time of year is more than 
favorable for this. Flit-by-night field hands 
are now gathered here reaping the harvest. 



12 GUIBOUR 

Though the deed be monstrous, I have no 
choice. So, I will hie me to the market- 
place; perchance someone will be there to 
whom I may unfold my mind. 

{Reenter two Harvesters.) 
Ah, behold two sturdy knaves— ripe and 
ready for any devilish stroke. Lordings, 
have you come hither to work in the fields ? 

First Harvester 
Yea, lady. Need you, in any wise, one of 
us or two ? 

GUIBOUR 

I hope so. Whence come you ? Tell me. 

First Harvester 
We are from round about Crotoy. Both 
of us are master hands to cut and thresh. 
If you have harvests to gather in we are 
your men. We reap fast and clean, lady. 

GUIBOUR 

Good sir, I am a generous giver and will 
reward you with wide-open hands— if you 
obey my will. 

Second Harvester 
Lady, whatever pleases you suits us. Tell 
us what you have mind to do, we '11 carry it 
out for you. 



GUIBOUR 13 

GUIBOUR 

{Holding out a cross to him.) 
First swear on the holy relics to keep my 
secret— make oath never to speak of it to 
man or woman ; then will I tell you all. 

Second Harvester 
Lady, I will be silent as the grave. Your 
secret is safe with me. No one shall drag it 
out of me against your will. 

First Harvester 
I promise to keep close teeth about it. 
Now deign to give your orders. 

GUIBOUR 

Lordings, kill me a man. That is my will. 
Albeit he is a friend of mine and one well 
loved. Dig deep in my purse. Line your 
wallets till they bulge. The man whereof I 
speak has cost me my fair name — because 
of him I am the scorn and mock of every- 
one. My heart is broken with sorrow and 
grief has withered me. I cannot speak to 
you of this in seemly wise, my words go 
wild, my head is fire. 

Second Harvester 
Lady, little the right or wrong of it mat- 
ters to us. Hand him over. We will 
de&patch him utterly. 



14 GUIBOUR 

First Harvester 
Yea, verily. But stay, we should take 
counsel how to carry out the deed in secret, 
and where. Madam ? 

GUIBOUR 

I know not, I know not. 
(Meditates.) 

My cellar! My cellar is a black and 
murky place. There shall you hide, close 
wrapt in shadows. Thither I'll send my 
man to fetch me wine; quickly lay hold of 
him and kill. Yet in such wise, no blood 
nor wound shall show. Neither on stomach, 
nor head, nor flanks. Strangle him. 

Second Harvester 
We will do so fast and quick. Now lead 
us to the cellar, then bethink you of your 
part. 

GUIBOUR 

Right willingly. On my good faith, I 
will pay you with both hands. Come your 
way with me. 

{Guihour, followed hy Harvesters, 
goes to her house. Curtains of the 
lower room open. Enter Guihour 
and men. She opens trap-door, 
Harvesters peer down into cellar.) 

GUIBOUR 

Descend! Fortune go with you! 
( Through trap, they go down cellar stairs. ) 



GUIBOUR 15 

Food shall not cross my lips till I have 
sent him to you. 

{She closes trap-door.) 

My ship speeds with fair wind. "When 
Aubin comes, there will not be a living soul 
at home. My husband is away, my daugh- 
ter with him. Aubin will come alone. He 
will not fail the dinner hour with me. Be- 
tide what may, I shall await him here. 

Aubin 

(Sings off stage. He enters near 

church and makes a long detour 

tefore he reaches house.) 

I am tired of this place and will hie me 

home. Midday and meat draw nigh. Hey 

and ho for my part of the capon put on 

the spit this morning. 

GUIBOUR 

I must feign illness, for Aubin is now 
hard by. Soft, lie low, my head, and close, 
my eyes. 

(Auhin ascends steps of house.) 

Aubin 

Mother, what means all this ? God give 
you sound health of soul and body. Be- 
shrew me, look at her ! Are you ill, lady ? 
Oh, speak and tell me ! 



16 GUIBOUR 

GrUIBOUR 

I shake with chill and yet am hot with 
fever. I die of thirst, son Aubin. Prithee, 
take you the wine jug and fetch me a 
measure from the cellar. Hasten, I long 
so for a drink. 

Aubin 
Lady, although methinks the wine is 
hurtful to you, I will draw you some right 
willingly, since that will please you. 

GUIBOUR 

Go quickly, then. 

{Aubin opens trap and descends to 
cellar.) 
My part is done. Soon I shall be rid of 
him. 

{A thud below, a stifled scream, then 
silence.) 

Now must I plan for what will come here- 
after. 

{Harvesters appear at head of trap 
stairs. ) 

First Harvester 
Lady, weep no more. It is all over. 

GUIBOUR 

Have you killed him, sirs, and how? 



GUIBOUR 17 

Second Harvester 

Lady, there was no need of trick nor 
guile. We clutched his throat as in a vise, 
down dead he fell for certain sure, so strong 
our grasp. 

GUIBOUR 

Well done, sirs. You have contented me. 
But waste no time in dallying here. You 
must needs bring him to his chamber. We 
will undress and lay him on his bed. Then 
will I pay you richly and dismiss you in 
God's care. 

Second Harvester 

We haste to do your bidding and with 
right good will. 

{They descend to cellar. Curtains 
of Auhin^s room open. Harvest- 
ers, followed hy Guihour, bring 
body up the stairs.) 

First Harvester 

Lady, now show us where you wish him 
laid. Prithee be quick, lest someone come. 

GUIBOUR 

Place him here in the bed, as if he slept 
easeful and sound. That will take least 
time and aid to speed you fast. 

(They lay Aubin upon the bed.) 



18 GUIBOUR 

'Tis well and I am satisfied. 

{She pays them.) 
Now wings to your heels. Be off, lest 
someone find you here. 

Second Harvester 
No fear of that, while I have legs to run 
with. 

First Harvester 
I will put many a mile between us and 
at once. 

{Both come from house into square.) 
Since we have gold to clink, let us go 
hence and spend it royally, good friend 
Senestre. 

Second Harvester 
Ay, this is no wholesome place for us. I 
am with you, Mandot. 

{Exeunt Harvesters, running. En- 
ter Guillaume and Marie. They 
proceed to lower room of house. 
Guihour in the meantime has 
come down stairs from Auhin's 
chamber and is there to greet 
them.) 

Guillaume 
Home again, lady, and in good time. 

{To Servant who enters.) 
Now bring fair napery and bread and 
wine. 

{Servant goes to cupboard.) 



GUIBOUR 19 

This mantle is as heavy as a cloak. I 
will take it off. It is a winter mantle. I 
am hungry and fain would break my fast. 
{To Servant.) 
Haste and get you to the wine bin. 

{Exit Servant.) 
Meanwhile, daughter, go summon Aubin 
and we shall dine. Tomorrow, methinks, 
we'll harvest and I must get me laborers. 
So time is precious, and, for the nonce, must 
not be wasted sitting here. Go, child, warn 
Aubin of the hour. 

{Daughter moves toward stairs. 
Guihour intercepts her.) 

GUIBOUR 

Daughter, Aubin still sleeps. 

GUILLAUME 

He has passed the live-long morning slug 
abed! Call your husband, madcap, bid 
him rise. 

Daughter 

{As she goes upstairs.) 

Aubin, Aubin, if it will not vex or bother 
you, tell me— is it day or night ? Fair sir, 
lie you abed clock round ? He answers not. 
Lo, no reply. Frown he or smile, I shall 
steal close and learn for sure whether he 



20 GUIBOUR 

sleeps or wakes. Come, sir sleepy-head, 
rest you in bed all day? 

{She folds hack sheets.) 
God, what is this? Mother, mother! 

GUILLAUME 

What ails you, why weep you thus and 
moan? 

Daughter 
Aubin is dead. I have seen him stark 
and cold. 

GUILLAUME 

{Going upstairs.) 
This is indeed a hard and heavy blow. 
Daughter, you are sure whereof you speak ? 

Daughter 
He is yellow as wax already. Father, 
you do not believe me? Alas, my love has 
left me lonely and bereft ! 

GUIBOUR 

{At foot of stairs. Aside.) 
Ah, God, I did not think of her ! 

( To Daughter. ) 
Marie, my child, come, come ! 

Daughter 
{Descending stairs.) 
Alas, alas! what shall I do? I shall die 



GUIBOUR 21 

of grief for him. Ah, my sweet Aubin, our 
life together is over, ere it is well begun ! 

GUIBOUR 

My daughter, a heavy loss in truth. 
Well may I, too, wring my hands and weep 
forever more, since Aubin has gone from 
us. Aubin so courteous and so debonair, 
who honoured me with his whole heart, and 
loved me truly. 

Daughter 
Alas, mother, he was always gentle and 
fair of speech. 

(Enter First NeigKbor.) 
He called me ever his friend and his be- 
loved. My heart is broken and it has cause 
to break. 

{First Neighbor goes to steps of 
house and knocks with his staff.) 

First Neighbor 
God be with all here. Why shriek you 
and lament so wildly? What has befallen 
and have you reason for such an outcry ? 

GUILLAUME 

{Leaning over balustrade of AuMn's 
room.) 
Ay, verily, good neighbor Robert, Aubin 
is dead. 



22 GUIBOUR 

First Neighbor 

How now ! May God have mercy on his 
soul. I am much pained to hear of this, 
neighbor Guillaume. By our Lady of Pon- 
toise, I would have tried my best to keep 
him if I could. 

{Enters Guibour^s room. Speaks to 
her and to Marie.) 
Yet, why kill yourselves with grief? 
How serves it him or you? I know nature 
will have her way with us in these sad 
events ; but pray you, moderate your grief. 
It will be better for you. 

{Guillaume comes down stairs.) 

Daughter 

Alack, how is that possible? I declare, 
Kobert, God gave me the most courteous 
and loving, the gentlest, as well as the 
wisest and most generous man that ever 
trod this earth. So it is right and just my 
heart should break. 

GUIBOUR 

You speak the truth, my daughter. None 
other was so fairly wed as you. No wife 
had a husband as handsome and as good as 
yours. Now he is dead. May God in his 
loving kindness give rest to Aubin's soul. 



GUIBOUR 23 

First Neighbor 
{To Guillaume.) 
Hearken, if you have any errand that I 
may do, tell me forthwith and I will gladly 
do it. 

Guillaume 
Robert, prithee then, go send a coffin 
hither. Another time I will do as much 
for you. 

First Neighbor 
I will hasten on the instant and fetch it 
to you. Betide what may, you shall have 
your coffin. 

{First Neighbor takes leave of fam- 
ily. The house curtains close. 
Enter Second Neighbor and Sec- 
ond Officer. They greet First 
Neighbor.) 

Second Neighbor 
Robert, God keep you sound in wind and 
limb. "Where go you ? 

{Enter First Officer.) 

First Neighbor 
Gautier, my gentle friend, I seek a 
funeral coffer. 

Second Neighbor 

For whom? Is it for ConseiU Tell me, 
neighbor. 



24 GUIBOUR 

First Neighbor 
Nenni, Gautier, it is for Aubin, the 
Mayor's son-in-law. 

{Exit First Neighbor.) 

Second Neighbor 
Aubin! God be gentle and merciful to 
his soul. 

First Officer 
God guard you all from sin. Whom did 
you say had passed beyond? 

Second Officer 
Aubin,— he who was son-in-law to Guil- 
laume, the Mayor of Chievi. 

First Officer 
God rest his soul, a piteous loss indeed! 
Handsome and young, wise, and most gra- 
cious in his port. 

Second Neighbor 
It is a journey we all must take. Adieu, 
my friends. 

First Officer 
Gautier, I commend you to God, who be- 
times gives a fair day and a fair month. 
I will tarry here no longer, but go to the 
court room. It is time for the session there. 
{Goes to Bailiff ^s office. Curtain of 
Bailiff's window opens, showing 
him at the table, writing.) 



GUIBOUR 25 

Bailiff 

{To First Officer.) 
God aid you, and whence come you? Is 
Ame summoned again? What stirs in the 
town today? Tell what you know. 

First Officer 
More than a thousand persons are dumb 
struck at the death of Aubin, that strong 
and goodly youth, cut down since prime. 

Bailiff 
By the Almighty, what say you ? Aubin 
dead! 

First Officer 
All the neighbors are agog with it. 

Bailiff 
I am astounded at such news. Sit you 
down. I maintain he met with some foul 
play; this the cause of his too sudden 
death. 

{Enter First Neighbor and Porter 
with coffin. Both curtains of 
Guihour's house open. Guillaume 
is in lower room, Guihour and 
Marie are sewing on shroud in 
AuMn^s room.) 

First Neighbor 
Mayor, behold, I have brought you a fine 
coffin. 'Tis spick clean new and will carry 
the corpse in a seemly manner to the ceme- 
tery. 



26 GUIBOUR 

GUILLAUME 

Friend, God protect you. Lower the 
coffin very gently so it will not break. Now, 
if you shrink not from the task, you two, 
place the corpse within. 

{All three go upstairs to Auhin's 
room. Neighbor and Porter take 
body wrapped in winding sheet 
and lift it from bed.) 

Porter 

We'll soon settle him in solid comfort. 
"Wait— you carry that end and I'll take 
this, dhe ! 

{They descend to lower room with 
body, followed by Guillaume. As 
they put it into coffin:) 
Put it down— Ohe— 

Guillaume 

On his back, not on his stomach, fair 
friend. 

{They right corpse.) 

First Neighbor 

There he is, fine and easeful at last. May 
Christ be gentle and merciful to his soul. 

Porter 
Who is going to pay me for the haulage ? 



GUIBOUR 27 

GUILLAUME 

I, friend, with all my heart. You have 
no need to bargain. Behold three silver 
pieces. Now pray for him. 

Porter 

May Christ, who is a powerful King, 
truly pardon his soul. If my toil were al- 
ways paid like this, I would soon see myself 
decked in fine new clothes. 

GUILLAUME 

Now go to your work. 

{First Neighbor and Porter lift 
coffin and carry it down steps. 
House curtains close. As coffin 
is home past church, Porter ges- 
tures to lower it. Mops his hrow 
and sits on end of coffin, despite 
horrified protests of Neighbor.) 

Bailiff 
{Looking out of his window. To 
Second Officer.) 
Why knit your brow and scowl so heav- 
ily, friend Gobin? 

Second Officer 

My heart is wrung, I ponder why and 
wherefore Aubin died. 



28 GUIBOUR 

Bailiff 

By the rood, I swear, and none can shake 
me, he was felled to the earth, or foully 
struck or slain. Therefore this quick and 
baleful end. So let us hence, I must be 
present at his burial. Whoever wrought 
this crime I mean to run him straight to 
earth. 

{Bailiff leaves window, followed hy 
First Officer. House curtains 
open. Guihour is kneeling at 
prie-dieu, Guillaume sits howed in 
prayer, both in lower room. Marie 
is on her knees at foot of hed in 
upper room.) 

Daughter 

Oh, gentle Aubin, when I recall your 
goodly mettle, the love you bore me and 
your comely ways, small wonder I lament 
and mourn. Happiness has fled and woe has 
stricken me. Oh, death, you have sundered 
us and given us short shrift. Take me now 
too, make me your prey. Methinks you are 
more kind than such a sorrowing. 

{Bailiff leaves his house and crosses 
to that of Guihour.) 

Bailiff 
{At threshold of Guihour 's house.) 
God give you his mercy and his peace. 



GUIBOUR 29 

GUILLAUME 

May he render the same to you. 

Bailiff 

Mayor, I mourn your heavy loss. I wish 
I might do aught to soften it. Wherefore, 
think you, came it so swift and sharp? 
Had Aubin hidden ill of body? 

GUILLAUME 

Never, my lord, since he wed our daugh- 
ter had he in any way complained of irk 
or ailment. 

Bailiff 

I marvel but the more. 
{To Guibour.) 

And you, woman, on your soul, know you 
naught else — was he in any company that 
would mishandle him— tell me? 

Guibour 

Nay, worthy magistrate, it is mystery to 
me. I am dazed at his unaccounted end. 
{To Officers.) 

Get you hence, minions. Bring the bier 
before me and uncover it. Unsew the wind- 
ing sheet that I may view the corpse from 
head to hip. I must report in full upon 
the case ere he goes forth to burial. 



30 GUIBOUR 

First Officer 
Sir, you shall be promptly obeyed. For- 
ward. 

{Officers go to coffin, still on ground, 
and ivave aside First Neighbor 
and Porter.) 
I am commanded by my lord the Bailiff 
to take possession of this body. 

{Officers lift coffin and carry it to 
threshold of Guihour's house. 
Crowd gradually filters in.) 

Bailiff 
Lift the cover, now unsew him, since the 
case is such. 

{Marie descends the stairs from up- 
per to lower room. To crowd 
pressing about coffin:) 
Withdraw from there in silence. 

Second Officer 
I wish to pluck out these stitches; the 
shears. Madam. 

{Guibour hands them to him.) 
Sir, have I undone enough, think you ? 

Bailiff 
Uncover him well that I may view throat 
and chest. 

{They unfold winding sheet; Bailiff 
examines corpse.) 



GUIBOUR 31 

Hola ! seize the mother, the daughter and 
father. They cannot deny that this man 
bears every mark of murder. It is plain 
beyond doubt or question. See how black 
his throat is. Indeed he has been strangled. 
Quick, secure them without more parley. 
Bind their hands crosswise behind their 
backs. Lead them like dogs on leash. I 
shall know forthwith the truth of this 
affair. 

{Hysterical cries off stage. Enter 
Cousin and Sister.) 

Sister 
(To Bailiff) 
Ah, good sir ! 

Bailiff 
Lady, I must tell you your brother 
Aubin has been slain. 

Sister 
Slain— 

Bailiff 
I am most sure of it. 

Sister 
(Bending over coffin.) 
Alas, what is this? Well may I sorrow 
when I see you thus, my brother ; and I do ; 
I am crushed with this misfortune. 



32 GUIBOUE 

Cousin 
God curse you, death! You have seized 
him as your prey, you have taken the 
bravest and the best of all our race. Alas, 
to be the prince of youths and cut down 
in your flower ! Oh, welladay, 'tis sad be- 
yond all grief. 

Bailiff 
{To Neighbors.) 
Sirs, he was foully slain, I am sure of it, 
but, by God's truth the guilty shall pay 
heavily. Since crime was done, justice de- 
mands the proof and I shall learn it. 

GUILLAUME 

Sir Bailiff, mercy for God's love. Prithee 
be not so hard upon us. We are willing to 
yield ourselves and to go whither you com- 
mand. 

Bailiff 
It is useless. 

(To Officers.) 
Men, do as I told you. 

First Officer 
While I bind the father, Gobin, go there 
and bind the mother. Hasten. 

Second Officer 
You need not urge me. I'll have no 
dalliance. 

{Ties Guihour.) 



GUIBOUR 33 

By my soul, then, woman, give me your 
arms and be quick about it. 

GUIBOUR 

Alas, what pain I suffer, and nothing 
can avail to spare me! Ah, then, sir, do 
your will with me. 

Daughter 

Oh, woe is me! Alas, alas, such bitter 
grief; to see the law mishandle thus my 
father and my mother. It binds and 
shackles them because of Aubin whom they 
mourn with all their hearts. 

Bailiff 

It will do no more nor less to you, fair 
friend. You three are one and go in com- 
pany. Bind her,— bind. 

First Officer 

Willingly. Come, mistress, I must have 
both your hands to fetter. It is useless to 
refuse. Make haste. 

Daughter 

Now am I afflicted on every hand as much 
as woman can be. Ah, Lady of Heaven, 
may your sweet eyes look down on me with 
pity. 



34 GUIBOUR 

Bailiff 
Forward, no more delay. Sirs, lead them 
to my tribunal. By the oath I gave the 
king, they shall speak truthfully or feel the 
rack and wheel. 

Second Officer 
{To Guihour.) 
Come you hence quickly. No more lin- 
gering here. 

Bailiff 
Bury this body and be quick about it. 

Cousin 
Cousin, in my opinion we ought to have 
him carried straightway to the cemetery. 
He should not lie flung on the ground like 
this. When he is buried we will order a 
memorial service, fair and befitting him. 

Daughter 
{To Cousin.) 
'Tis well. 

{To Neighbors.) 
Pray you, good people— lift him and bear 
him hence. 

{Guihour, Daughter and Guillaume 
are led before the Bailiff 's window. 
Neighbors, followed by crowd, 
lift coffin and bear it off stage.) 



GUIBOUR 35 

GUILLAUME 

{On his way to tribunal.) 
Oh, Virgin, sweet motlier of the King of 
Heaven, way and harbor of the strayed, 
console us. Lady, for we have need of it. 

Bailiff 
Gobin, come quickly. First take the 
mother to Gourdaine jail and then lead the 
daughter opposite to Paradis prison ; mean- 
while I shall question Guillaume. 

Second Officer 
Sir, since so you say, I will lead them 
with a right good heart. 

(He takes hold of the daughter.) 

GUIBOUR 

Sir, sir, free these two people; they are 
innocent. Punish my crime, I yield me to 
your judgment. My heart can no longer 
endure the sight of my dear ones suffering. 
They had no hand in this affair. I alone 
had Aubin slain. I alone. 

{Daughter with a cry of horror 
rushes to her father. Both regard 
Guihour with unbelieving eyes.) 

Bailiff 
Guibour, tell us how and wherefore was 
this murder done. 



36 GUIBOUR 

GUIBOUR 

Yes, I will speak the truth and all of it. 
Aubin was dear to me, none dearer. From 
his marriage day I loved him with all my 
heart. But honorably, sir, mark you, 
honorably. Many perceived this love and 
misconstrued it. They spread dark and 
noisome tales about us through the town. 
They said I played the wanton whenever 
it so pleasured him and that we two were 
one. The scandal was repeated not once 
but more than five hundred times. At last, 
in secret, it was brought to me. I was so 
ashamed, so grieved, so angered at the in- 
sult that my mind and senses reeled. Then 
the devil took a hand and harrowed and 
confused my understanding. Henceforth 
my mind was bent on killing Aubin,— all 
was clouded, but it seemed to me, once he 
was dead, their lying tongues would blister 
me no more. 

Bailiff 

Woman, how killed you him? 

GUIBOUR 

I 'will reveal you all. Yesterday, in the 
market-place, I met two youths. I know 
them not, save that they sell their brawn as 
field hands. I opened my whole mind to 
them and said I wished his death. They 
agreed upon the deed for the reward I 
promised them. Thereon I hid them in the 



GUIBOUR 37 

cellar of my house and sent my son-in-law 
to the same spot on pretext I was sore 
athirst. He went! My hirelings sprang 
to his throat and throttled him. Down 
dead he fell. At my behest, they bore him 
to his bed and laid him there as if he slept 
for pleasure. I paid the lads much gold 
and sent them hot-haste far from here. Sir, 
that is all. 

Bailiff 
That is enough— to prison with her, 
Gobin, where I told you. 

Second Officer 
Sir, I obey. 

{To Guibour.) 
Come lady, forward with you. 

Guibour 
{Stretching out her arms to daugh- 
ter.) 
Marie, forgive me, forgive! 

Daughter 
{Turning away.) 
That is most hard, my mother. 

Guibour 
{Appealing to her husband.) 

Your pardon, Guillaume ! 

{Passionately entreating him.) 

Guillaume ! 



38 GUIBOUR 

Gun^LAUME 

Think you on Aubin ! 

{Guihour is led away. As she goes 
Guillaume and daughter follow 
her ivith desperate and yearning 
gaze, hut she cannot see. Exeunt 
Guihour and Second Officer.) 

Bailiff 
In truth, 'tis many a year since I have 
heard so horrible a murder tale. Strike off 
his bonds. I free you, Guillaume, and your 
daughter too. But get you hence and 
speedily. 

(Fetters are removed.) 

Guillaume 
Sir, what you ask is right and just. We 
will go at once. 

{Exeunt Bailiff and First Officer.) 

Guillaume 

Oh, my daughter, no more home for me. 

I must go forth to the church of our Lady 

of Finisterre, there to pray and beseech her 

to stand your mother's friend. She needs 

the Virgin's help, since, methinks, her life 

is forfeit. ^ 

Daughter 

Hasten, father, — as for me, I shall hie 
me straight to Limoges and offer my weight 
in candle wax to Saint Leonard. I shall beg 
him to pray our Lord to guard my mother 



GUIBOUR 39 

and preserve her from a bitter and shame- 
ful death. GUILLAUME 

May she who is full of grace be Gui- 
bour's friend in this necessity. My part- 
ing blessing on you, child. 

(Kisses her forehead as she kneels.) 
Go in God's care. 

Daughter 
Farewell, father ! I shall not tarry until I 
reach Saint Leonard's. I go to dress my- 
self in pilgrim garments. 

(She goes into house through cur- 
tains. ) 

GuiLLAUME 

I do not know if I shall ever see this 
place again. 

(Exit. Stage curtain is dropped for 
a short interval to mark the pass- 
ing of time.) 

CURTAIN 



SCENE II 

(When the curtains open again, the 
Bailiff is seen seated within his 
house. Enter Sister and Cousin.) 

Sister 
Gracious sir, we have come hither to ask 
justice for our dead. 



40 GUIBOUR 

Bailiff 

Is Aubin buried or is he in the middle 
of the square where I left him with you ? 

Cousin 
Fair sir, Aubin rests in his grave. 

Bailiff 

I know now the truth in regard to the 
deed. Your business shall be despatched at 
once. 

{To First Officer.) 

Auberi, go seek the executioner. Tell 
him to come and erect a stake for the burn- 
ing of a woman. When this is done let 
him report to me at once. Go with speed. 

First Officer 
Willingly, sir. 

{Sees Cochet off stage.) 
I see him. Cochet, come at once. 

{Enter Cochet.) 
Our master, the Bailiff, bids you erect a 
stake and be quick about it. Do not delay. 
When you have finished, haste to his court 
room. 

Executioner 

Fair sir, it shall be done forthwith. I 
go this instant to attend to it. 



GUIBOUR 41 

First Officer 

Friend Cochet, I shall certainly inform 
him. 

{Exit Cochet. Officer returns to 
Bailijf's window.) 

Sir, I have spoken to Cochet ; he has bel- 
lows, pitchfork, hook, cords and all that is 
necessary for his work. He will without 
fail seek you ere long at court. 

Bailifp 

For the nonce, Gobin, lead Guibour to my 
presence. I fain would speak to her once 
more. 

Second Officer 
Sir, I run. 

(Exit Gohin. Speaks off stage.) 

Out with you, Guibour. We must go 
straightway to the Bailiff's. 

(Enter Guibour, clothed in a white 
shift and led hy Gohin.) 

Guibour 

sweet mother of God, deign to be 
mindful of my misery. I think my span 
of life is short— therefore I pray your 
mercy on my soul. Sinner that I am, pity 



42 GUIBOUR 

me, and in your loving kindness, comfort 
me. 

Bailiff 
Guibour, fair friend, you have confessed 
and sent your son to death and hell. You 
have cleared husband and daughter and as- 
sumed sole guilt; thus have I understood. 

Guibour 
Sir, I swear it is the truth. I told you 
why I caused the deed and how. Because 
of it I am here for your judgment. Where- 
fore may God have mercy on my soul and 
draw it to himself. May he preserve it 
from eternal hell and all its torments. 

Sister 
Sir, deal with this infamous murderess 
as she has dealt with my brother. Justice on 
her who killed him treacherously. Deign 
to give me justice. 

Cousin 
In truth, sir, her demand is seemly. The 
woman has confessed, therefore grant you 
her demand. 

(Enter Cochet.) 

Executioner 
Master, my work is done. Your orders 
are carried out. Is there aught else you 
want of me ? 



GUIBOUR 43 

Bailiff 
Take a halter and twist it about this 
woman's neck; she must die shamefully. 
Tie her hands, then we will go forth to the 
execution place. 

Executioner 
I have a good trade and I like it, so I 
shall work at it since you command. 

GUIBOUR 

{To Virgin.) 
Oh, Lady, take thought and care of my 
poor soul since my body must soon die a 
shameful death. 

Sister 
Ay, murderess, hurt and shame for you ! 
Nothing is bad enough for you who slew 
my brother in the way you did. 

Bailiff 
She shall pay to the full. Auberi, cry 
aloud in the square. Bid every household 
head come quickly to the execution place. 

First Officer 
Sir, I obey straightway. 

{Crosses to centre, then divides his 
proclamation into four parts, 
speaking it in the four corners of 
the square.) 



44 GUIBOUR 

List ye and hark ! Folk, I command 
you, together and separately, to hie you 
promptly to the execution place, there to 
witness the Bailiff's sentence on a woman. 
He who stays at home is guilty of high 
treason to the King. 

{Gradual entrance of crowd.) 

First Neighbor 
Faith, I 'd rather go than pay a fine. 

Second Neighbor 
I also, lest they should clap me into jail. 

Bailiff 

Forward, our company is large enough 
and will augment. 

Executioner 

Lady, forth with you. Lag not and ask 
no silly questions. See, I am going to lead 
you like a dog on leash. 

GUIBOUR 

God, why does my heart not break? 
"Would death might take me ere I drain 
shame's cup and suffer this excess of tor- 
ment. Sir Bailiff, grant me one boon, one 
only. Give me a little time to beg our 
Lady's mercy. We pass before the church, 
I beseech you let me pray to her for pardon. 



GUIBOUR 45 

FmsT Neighbor 
For God's love, grant it her. She need 
not enter the holy place. 

Second Neighbor 

Give her, fair sir, a little respite. Thus 
will she make a goodlier end, and Scripture 
says we should desire the salvation of 
everyone. 

Bailiff 

So many ask I grant the favor. To it, 
then, woman, and be quick with you. But 
do not keep us dawdling here. Down on 
your knees. 

GUIBOUR 

Gentle and courteous sir, my thanks. 

{Goes slowly up church steps, ad- 
dresses Virgin in shrine.) 

Ah, Lady of Heaven, reconcile my soul 
to God, your own dear Son. Refuge of sin- 
ners, pity me, bowed down with grief and 
woe. Aid my soul, stay it with your com- 
fort, for my body is doomed to perish very 
soon, burned and charred by fire. Beseech 
God to forgive me ; he alone has power and 
only he can clearly see the true repentance 
of our hearts. 

Bailiff 
Up with you now, and on. Forward 
all. We cannot waste time listening to 



46 GUIBOUR 

nonsense; much of our day is lost already. 

Guibonr, go before. Cochet, to the stake 

with her forthwith. Make a burning torch 

of her body. 

{Procession led hy Guibour and 
Cochet. Nuns and Priest come 
from church and join it. All fol- 
low. Exeunt all. Stage curtain 
falls. ) 

CURTAIN 



SCENE III 

(When the curtain rises, a stake has 
been erected on a platform centre 
stage. Guibour is tied to it, and 
faggots are heaped about her. The 
Bailiff, Officers, Neighbors, Sister, 
Cousin, Executioner, and crowd 
are grouped about it. The Priest 
and Nuns chant and then enter 
church.) 

Executioner 

Since I must despatch you, lady, kneel 
down. Steady. Arms at side. I am go- 
ing to tie them to your body, then bind you 
to the stake. 

{Does so.) 



GUIBOUR 47 

GUIBOUR 

All you who see me now, implore our 
Lady for me. My body will soon be prey 
of flame and fire; beg that my soul escape 
the pains of hell. 

Executioner 
Next, a string noose for your neck and 
breast, and I am done with you. 

GUIBOUR 

good, kind folk, I beseech you, visit 
not my crime upon my husband and my 
daughter— they are innocent, yet they suf- 
fer because of me. They share the pain 
and terror of my death. 

Bailiff 

Cochet, we wait. Make haste. Now she 
is stoutly bound— heap logs and straw on 
all sides. Set fire everywhere. 

Executioner 
No meat nor drink for me until my task 
is done. Look, master, I know not how to 
lay a better fire. See, she is shut in by logs 
on every side, just like a rabbit in a hutch. 
She will kindle quick this way. 

Bailiff 
The torch ! The torch ! Tarry no longer, 
the torch to her. 



48 GUIBOUR 

Executioner 
Sir, I go to fetch it. 

GUIBOUR 

Mother of God, I give you my soul. Keep 
it, save it ! 

Executioner 

Behold, all is ready. 

Voice of God 

Mother, mother, the time is at hand when 
you must hie you down to earth to save 
and protect Guibour. List, she calls to you 
in piteous tones. She asks so earnestly to 
be restored through you to my friendship, 
imploring pardon for her crime. Go, de- 
fend her well. So though fire be set about 
her body it shall not touch nor injure nor 
destroy it in any manner. 

Our Lady 
Son, I am full ready to descend. Come, 
Gabriel, to earth with me. And you, too, 
Michel. 

{She steps from her niche, Gabriel 
and Michel join her. ) 
Now sing you as we journey. 

{Virgin in centre of church steps. 
Angels kneel on either side. ) 

Gabriel 
Lady, I am your humblest servant and so 
obey. Spread your wings, Michel. Friends, 



GUIBOUR 49 

as we wend our way let us raise our voices 

in fair melody. 

{Music from within church in which 
angels join. Holy people move 
forward on church porch as far 
as possible.) 

Executioner 
Stand back! I have such heaps of fuel 
I am going to make a roaring fire. So 
'ware the sparks! 

(Flames leap up.) 

Our Lady 
Friends, ward off the fire from my loyal 
servitor. Let not the flame come nigh her. 
Guibour, courage, keep a stout heart, your 
prayer is heard; neither fire nor torment 
shall have power to harm you. 

(Crowd see that Guihour's ropes 
have broken.) 

Bailiff 
I cannot believe the woman is not burned 
to a crisp. This fire has burned in such a 
leap of flame she must be charred. 

Executioner 
Lordings, the noose, the rope and all the 
faggot bands are burned, but she is safe 
and sound. No wounds nor a drop of 
blood— on the contrary, she is more beauti- 
ful than before. 



50 GUIBOUE 

Sister 
By soul and body, murderess, you shall 
not thus escape. Bailiff, understand, we 
wish this murderess burned straightway, 
her flesh cast to the wind in ashes. That 
was your sentence. 

Bailiff 
Throw fuel and kindling upon her. Let 
not one interfere. Heap it high. More, 
so the fire may quickly catch. It must 
consume her till neither flesh nor bone re- 
main. 

{Cochet lights more fuel, fire leaps 
high. ) 

Our Lady 
Fire, I forbid you to touch this woman. 
Flame, harm her not. 

(Flames die away. Guihour stands 
free.) 
Come, lordings, let us now return to 
Paradise. 

(Holy^ people return to their original 
positions. ) 

Bailiff 
(To awe-struck crowd.) 
Sirrahs, behold a miracle ! A marvel be- 
yond telling ! Never in my life have I seen 
so great a prodigy. We have sinned griev- 
ously against God in so maltreating this 
sainted body. 



GUIBOUR 51 

GUIBOUR 

Here I am, risen from death and flame. 
Our Lady was my shield, and God my de- 
fender. 

Bailiff 

Lady, on bended knee, I ask your par- 
don for the anger and wrath I showed 
towards you, for all my harsh and violent 
treatment. On my soul, I deem you holy 
and will never harm you more. Curse me 
not to hell, nor spurn me in this life. 

• GUIBOUR 

Rise, for the love of God. I cannot see 
you thus brought low. In truth you 
wrong me not. My crime deserved a thou- 
sand deaths. Only the Virgin's mercy 
stood between me and my just doom. I 
prayed her from my heart and she pre- 
served me. If you scorned and mocked me 
very grievously, may our Lady pardon you 
as I do. And may she bring us all to a 
happy ending. Ave Maria ! Ave ! 

First Neighbor 

Let us not tarry longer here, but go our 
way. Yet, first fare we with Guibour to 
the church. There it were fitting she should 
render thanks to God and to his Mother for 
her deliverance. 



52 GUIBOUR 

GUIBOUR 

{Advancing to church steps.) 
Lady, sceptre of royal glory, fountain 
and well of mercy, here I kneel before you. 
With all my heart and strength, I thank 
you. Henceforth while I live, I dedicate 
my whole life to you, and to your service. 
(Rising.) 
Sir Bailiff, have I your leave to pass to 
my abode? 

Bailiff 
Go your way freely, Guibour, but not 
alone ; myself and all the folk will see you 
to your door. "Way for the Lady Guibour 
— way for the saint of God ! 

(Enter Nuns singing. Crowd joins 
in Alleluias. Procession to Gui- 
hour's house. Bailiff leads Gui- 
bour to her threshold. As she 
pauses in doorway formed hy cur- 
tains:) 

Guibour 
Lordings, who hitherward have given 
me most gracious company, God bless you 
with unending joy. Now, if you truly love 
me, leave me henceforth alone, apart, to 
silence and to prayer. 

Bailiff 
We will disperse upon our several ways. 
I commend you to God's keeping, Guibour. 



GUIBOUR 53 

GUIBOUR 

May his loving kindness go with yon al- 
ways. My thanks, my long farewell ! 

{As she gestures her blessing and 
farewell, the stage curtains close.) 

CURTAIN 



SCENE IV 

{As the curtain rises, First Poor 
Woman crosses stage.) 

First Poor Woman 
Virgin, whom God has seated at his side, 
watch over all who do me good. I am 
most wretched, for I know not who thrusts 
me away, whether it be man or beast. I 
cannot tell lead from silver or brass from 
golden coins ; alas, good folk, he loses every- 
thing who loses sight. 

{Stumbles against threshold of Gui- 
bour^s house. The curtains of 
lower room open.) 
Alack, no one has pitied me today. For 
God's love give to the poor blind woman. 

GUIBOUR 

Worthy dame, prithee stir not from this 
place. Wait, I come. Here, my sister, 
pray to the King of Heaven for me. 
{Gives money to beggar.) 



54 GUIBOUR 

First Poor Woman 
Ah, lady, God keep you sound of body, 
and in the end have mercy on your soul. 

{Exit First Poor Woman. Enter 
Second Poor Woman.) 

Second Poor Woman 
{Crossing to Guihour's house.) 
Ah, God, is there man or woman will 
comfort me with charity? For God's love, 
aid, dame Guibour. I am a poor farmer's 
wife who works hard to give my three small 
children bread. On my soul, I know not 
where to get them food. 

Guibour 
Friend, calm yourself, be not distressed. 
You shall not stay unhelped. Take this 
sack of wheat and go in God's care. 

Second Poor Woman 
Lady, may God who sees and prizes 
each generous impulse of the heart, requite 
you here— at the last judgment, too. 

{Exit Second Poor Woman. Enter 
Third Poor Woman. ) 

Third Poor Woman 
See my misery. It is real. I do not 
sham. 

{Goes to Guibour 's house.) 
Lady, in your charity be good to me. 



GUIBOUR 55 

GUIBOUR 

What can I do or give to serve your 
body's need? Gold have I none, not even 
small pence, yet my heart feels for you. 
Wait until I see if I have aught to help 
you. 

(Gives her a cloak.) 

Here, good friend, take this, make you a 
long cloak from this mantle. It is my only 
one, and clothed me when I walked abroad. 

Third Poor Woman 

May gentle Jesus and Mary, his sweet 
mother, requite you. May they reward 
your kindness a hundredfold, and one day 
take you to dwell with them among the 
saints. 

(Exit Third Poor Woman. Curtain 
of Guihour's house closes to mark 
passage of time. Enter Watch- 
man.) 

Watchman 

(As chimes ring five times.) 

Candlemas day, five o' the clock and all 
is well. 

(Exit Watchman. Enter First and 
then Second Neighbor, carrying 
lanterns. ) 



56 GUIBOUR 

First Neighbor 
By Saint Agatha's bones, well met! I 
was on my way to seek you. Are you ready 
for early mass? It is Candle-offering day. 

Second Neighbor 
I mind it well. Shame to him who does 
not go to church on Candlemas, the day of 
old when blessed Mary bore her Son up to 
the Temple, and offered two small doves 
to the high priest. 

First Neighbor 
I think it the fairest service of the year. 
We must not tarry, the church is such a 
long and weary walk. 

Second Neighbor 
And we should be there in good time. 
Come you to my home. It is on our way, 
and my candle is there. I have it ready 
for the offering. 

First Neighbor 
Here is mine. I shall give it to the priest. 
{Exeunt Neighbors. Curtains of 
Guihour's house open, disclosing 
Guihour, clothed in a plain white 
shift and seated beside a little 
shrine. A statue of the Virgin 
occupies the place of honour in 
the shrine and is surrounded by 
lighted candles and flowers.) 



GUIBOUR 57 

GUIBOUR 

(Speaking to the statue.) 

Lady, whom God chose for his 
mother, it is a long time since I have heard 
mass or listened to your office. Today, 
in times bygone, you put on goodly raiment 
and went forth to the Temple ; there, with 
all devotion, you brought your Son and un- 
derwent the purifying rite. That is why, 
and meetly, mine eyes are filled with tears. 
Once I used to have a priest who said 
mass for me in my private oratory. 
But my worldly goods are gone. For love 
of you have I given them all away. Noth- 
ing is left. I have stripped from my back 
even the mantle I wore out of doors. So, 
if I do not go to church, I hope God will 
not blame me. If I went everyone would 
stare and jeer to see me clothed only in 
my shift, more so since I was always richly 
garbed and jewelled. Virgin, I hope 
that you will understand and pity me. 
Your son likewise. Therefore I stay at 
home and pray devoutly to you on your 
feast. 

Voice of God 

Come, mother, and all you saints— on 
this day, when I was offered in the Temple, 
I wish to pleasure Guibour who serves me 
well on earth. She would fain hear a mass 



58 GUIBOUR 

and merits it. Angels, both of you, go 
before. 

{Michel and Gabriel step down from 
their places.) 
Mother, you follow them. 

{Virgin and Saint Jean step from 
their pedestals.) 
We shall now proceed. Angels, make 
ready to sing a joyous canticle. 

Michel 
Lord, we obey with joy for many a rea- 
son. Gabriel dear, my comrade, let us sing 
a glad and glorious song. 

{Song hy Angels, and by Nuns with- 
in the church. Raphael and Uriel 
come out of church, and stand at 
foot of steps. Jean, at end of 
song, takes candles from stand 
within porch of church and pre- 
sents them to the Holy People.) 

Saint Jean 
Empress of God's universe, please you 
offer this candle at the altar. 

{To Gabriel and Michel.) 
And you, present these in the same man- 
ner. 

{To Virgin.) 
Lady, I descend to earth. 
{Goes down steps.) 



GUIBOUE 59 

Behold your candle, Raphael. Uriel, here 
is yours. Give them to the priest when 
he has sung the offertory. 

{Enters Gmhour's house.) 
Here, woman, is one for you; receive it 
and bless God for the vision you behold. 
Thank him with all your heart. 

{Jean returns to his pedestal.) 

Gabriel 
The Introit and the Confiteor are over, 
let the mass now proceed. Come, Michel, 
begin. 

{Chant of Blessing of Candles with- 
in church. Virgin and the other 
Holy Folk light and present can- 
dles at church door.) 

Our Lady 
Michel, go tell that woman she will in- 
cur heavy guilt if she keeps the priest 
standing await for her. Let her come and 
offer her candle at once, and make no 
further ado about it. 

Michel 
Glorious Virgin, I fly to do your bidding. 

{Goes to Guihour's house.) 
Lady, come straightway, make your offer- 
ing; the priest attends you over long. It 
is not seemly. 



60 GUIBOUR 

GUIBOUR 

Friend, I do not intend to give this can- 
dle to the priest, nor to anyone. It is my 
treasure and I shall keep it for myself. 
Let the priest say his prayers and finish 
his mass without me. 

Michel 
I shall repeat your answer to the realms 
above. 

{Returns to Virgin. ) 

Glorious virgin, she said she would not 
come and that the priest had better go on 
and read the Preface at once. 

Our Lady 
Gabriel ! Descend once more ; tell her to 
make haste and offer her candle as is the 
custom of this festival. 

Gabriel 
Lady, I go speedily. 

(Crosses to Guihour^s house.) 
Woman, be quick with you, our Lady 
orders you to bring your candle and offer 
it. You are most unmannerly keeping the 
priest attending you. Present your offer- 
ing now. 

GUIBOUR 

He can get along without me. Once and 
for all, let him say his mass. I do not in- 



GUIBOUR 61 

tend to give him my candle and I will not 
go to the offering. 

Gabriel 

Very well, I shall tell Our Lady that you 
will not come. 

{Bet urns to Virgin.) 

Blessed Queen, she means to keep her 
candle and will not offer it; that is, pardi, 
the whole case in a nutshell. 

Our Lady 

Go to her once again; tell her she must 
not dare refuse. If she persist, tear the 
candle from her grasp. 

{Gabriel returns to Guihour and 
seizes one end of candle.) 

GUIBOUR 

Friend, you are not strong enough to 
make me open my hand. I forbid you to 
touch my candle. 

Gabriel 

Since I already have it by the middle, I 
shall get the rest and master you and it. 

GUIBOUR 

It shall not leave my hands ; you pull in 
vain. 



62 GUIBOUR 

Gabriel 
Beshrew you, soon you will sing a sorrier 
song. 

{Breaks off part of candle.) 
In any hap, I shall take away this end. 

{Returns to Virgin.) 
Star of Heaven, behold, this is all I could 
contrive to get from her. I strove with all 
my force, and could break naught save this. 

Voice of God 
Verily, it is precious in her sight; she 
guards it with her whole strength and great 
devotion. Let us leave her it and wend us 
back to heaven. As our procession passes, 
sing, you angels, since you do it best. 

Michel 
Almighty, we joyously obey and contra- 
dict you not in any way. 

{Virgin and Saint Jean step hack 
into niches. Angels pass within 
church.) 

GUIBOUR 

- -{As if coming out of a dream.) 
Ah, Lady, I thank you for your great 
goodness. God, where have I been ? Truly, 
it seemed to me that I was in a very large 
church, Virgin, where I saw you as a queen 
and with you a great company of saints. 



GUIBOUR 63 

An angel offered me a candle which I 
thought was mine own to keep. He strove 
with me and forced away one part of it. 
Yet, TJady, I have one consolation. I hold 
the greater end. Now do I see that I have 
been rapt in ecstasy and beheld a vision. I 
thank you humbly for this grace, and your 
beloved Son also, who has been merciful 
and remembered me. I praise and glorify 
His name, who this day let me kneel at holy 
mass. 

{Enter Nuns, singing.) 

First Nun 

Guibour, let your heart rejoice in the 
Lord. We are sent to reveal God's will to 
you. Prepare forthwith to leave all things, 
to enter our holy order and receive its 
habit. 

Second Nun 

He desires you to renounce the vanities 
of this world, to serve him utterly, and so 
merit greater glory in the world to come. 

Guibour 

In sooth, this has long been my great de- 
sire. God's will be done and perfectly ful- 
filled in me. Let us go hence, I am ready ; 
lead me to your nunnery. 



'^^^ 



64 GUIBOUR 

First Nun 
Come, then. But I think we all should 
sing as we journey hence, praising the King 
of kings and his sweet mother. 

GUIBOUR 

Virgin, we sing your praise, because you 
shield us from dark hell. God was made 
man in you, and saved us from the death 
that Adam brought upon us when he ate the 
apple. 

{Exeunt Guihour and Nuns, singing, 
into the church.) 

CURTAIN 



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